Flowmeter



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FLow METER Filed July '7, 1945 1 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 A INVENroR. WHLTEP. M. Hummm I March 1, 1949;

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Filed .my 7, 1945 w. M. BooTH'a'Y LITER: Ps

NVENTOR. WLIER .Emnmv Patented Mar. 1,1949` UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICEk FLOWMETER Walter M. Boothby, Rochester, Minn. Application July 7, 1945, Serial No. 603,703

6 Claims.

My invention relates to iiow meters, adapted for use in connection with alternate or constant action gas ow, embodying a restrictor device which will produce, without the interfering factors of turbulence and ow laminations, a very slight differential pressure in a stream of gas at any constant rate of flow, or at any intermittent or variable rate of flow, or when flowing constantly or intermittently in repeatedly reversed directions. This diiferential pressure, such for example as the movement of gases in respiration, that is the repeated movement during inhalation followed repeatedly byl the reverse movement during exhalation, is produced by causing the stream of gas to pass through a properly inserted and a suiiiciently thick body of some porous and fairly homogeneous material, specifically of sponge rubber, containing both in parallel and in series many pores and cavities. Such a porous substance reduces and in practical effect eliminates error due to turbulence and iiow lamination at site of measurement, and, therefore, the differential pressures so produced can be calibrated to represent accurately the rates of flowA of gases in an essentially linear relationship at -v low differential pressures of 1 up to 200 and more millimeters of water for ambient rates of flow between l up to 200 and more liters per minute,- wherein the calibrations derived from the use of this structure are nearly independent of the mo- Fig. 6, may be used. For rapidly varying or reversing rates of ow of a gas, a glass spoon type oi a Bourdon tube with a mirror attachment to throw a beam of light on a moving photographic illm may be used. An electronic type of recording apparatus (not shown) would be suitable when great accuracy in measuring rapidly changing rate of flow at very low pressure is desired.

In general my invention, by use of the aforesaid restrictor device, has to do with the making of proper calibrations to show differential pressures on opposite sides of the restrictor and the delivery rate or volume per unit of time of the ow of gases in units per minute ambient, and one practical application of my invention is, by the use of the restrictor device, to measure respiration of individuals for both Volume of Iinhalation and volume of exhalation, another is to measure the air flow in cubic feet per minute of Ventilating and hot air heating systems of all kinds.

Flow meters generally used are of two types. One of these is the float type, in which gas is delivered under pressure to the lower part of an expanding chamber and a oat in the chamber Cl. 12S- 142) pressures which are varied to produce delivery of gases at the desired volume rate of flow.

The second type of flow meter embodies a casing having a partition across the space within the casing which divides that space into two chambers. The partition is provided with an open hole or orifice usually circular, at its center and of smaller area thanV that of the main pipe or duct, and the differential pressures between the two chambers are recorded by a manometer, and calibrations showing the volume of flow are obtained for use in connection with this orifice type of flow meter.

The iirst type of ow meter above noted is operative with the gases going only in one direction, while the second or simple orifice type may be operated with gases going in either direction.

'Ihe second type of flow meter, with which my invention is alone concerned, is fairly eiicient where considerable pressures are employed, pressures which are sufiicient to nullify turbulence in the second chamber and thus establish the necessary differential pressures which measure the volume passing through the meter.

But I have discovered that this simple orice type of flow meter is inoperative for measuring the flow of gases going at low or very low pressures. Hence, it will not measure the Vvolume of gases -at these low pressures and renders less accurate the measurement oi Volumes of gases at somewhat higher pressures, and the calibrations derived therefrom.

I have further discovered that if a gas under pressure from any source, particularly when the pressure is low or very low, is delivered at such low pressures to theinlet part of a ow meter such as is referred to as the second type of ow meter, and the inlet part has ow connections tothe outlet part through a restrictor device consisting'of a sufllciently thick body oi some properly porous and fairly homogeneous material, specifically of sponge rubber containing both in parallel and in series many pores and cavities,

the differential pressures taken from those on the opposite sides of the restrictormay be made an index of the volume of flow, so closely accurate calibrations can be arrived at from such differential pressures, showing with substantial accuracy the volumes of gases passing through the flow meter. This is true for gases passing in either direction, either continuously or intermittently, and is true for gases delivered to the inlet chamber at low or very low pressures.

I have further discovered that if the rate of iiow of delivery remains constant and the area of restriction is increased so the volume of gas 1- passing through a given area of the restrictor 00 is necessarily correspondingly decreased, the dif- 3 ferential pressures will be decreased proportionateiy so that there will still be a relation between the differential pressures and the volume of flow being delivered, from which again accurate calibrations can be made, showing the volume of gas delivered through the greater area of restriction, which because of its essential porosity will be accurate for a wide range of pressures, especially including very low pressures. And since the restrictor area will be the' same regardless of which direction the gases flow, it follows that calibrations based upon diferential pressures when the gas is fiowingin one direction will correspondingly apply to gases flowing in the opposite direction where the pressures of the gas and areas of the restrictor remain the same.

The device is effective for obtaining calibrations showing low and very low differential pressures and large rates of flow, where the gas is delivered at a fixed pressure and through a fixed area of the sponge rubber restrictor. In general these calibrations will -be made with use of a weighted spirometer, by passing a constant flow ol' air or gas therethrough, the spirometer indicating the volume of gas delivered at a fixed pressure, from which the indicated differential pressures determined by the respective pressures on the two sides of the sponge rubber disk may be successively read at different now-rates of gas delivery. These readings at successively higher differential pressures of delivery of gas and consequently larger volumes of gas delivered through the restrictor, are set off against figures showing the volume of flow per minute ambient actually being delivered for each increased differential pressure. In the same way whenthe area of the restrictor in increased, readings may be made for the lower differential pressures which will give a calibration for the increased volumes resulting from the increased restrictor area, all as shown in the graph forming part of the drawings.

It is an object of my invention,therefore, to effect determination of the volume or rate of flow of gases per unit of' time in direct or reverse directions of flow. by employing an enclosure divided into two chambers, said chambers communicating with one another through a restrictor, preferably in the form of a circular disk of porous material, such as sponge rubber having the proper degree of porosity, the respective chambers communicating each with a leg of a water manometer, or with other indicating means, such as a calibrated electronic recording device which would accurately indicate and record or record rapid fluctuations in pressures and therefrom indicate the Volume or rate of flow.

It is a further object of my invention to employ the above arrangement for obtaining calibrations which indicate pressure differentials between pressures on opposite sides of the disk taken in either direction and rates of flow or volumes of gas per minute for the several figures indicating pressure differentials. As the differential pressures involved in this arrangement are small and usually vary very little from. the total barometric pressures, the volumes indicated are frequencly ambient.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an apparatus for making such calibrations, wherein a multiplicity of sponge rubber disks are employed, al1 but one adapted to be closed by valves or Stoppers, so that the areas of the restrictor through which the gas ows may be enlarged or diminished to obtain different sets of calibrations. In practice a large range of flow,

between 1 and 200 liters per minute or more, can be measured with very low differential pressures so the rates of flow being measured are not signicantly affected by the measuring device even when the driving pressure is low as in respiration or in Ventilating ducts. g

It is a further object of my invention to apply the device in connection with the calibrations arrived at to measure the rate of iiow of respiration for both inhalation and exhalation, and to obtain accurately the variation in both directions in rate of flow during a respiratory cycle.

Other objects of the invention include making measurements and calibrations showing relative rates of flow of gases of dierent molecular weights, like helium or argon, or of different densities. as air at ground level and high level, and also to make the numerous sets with exact calibrations when greater accuracy must be obtained for any type of operation in which it is essential or desirable to be accurately infomed of the actual ambient volume of the gas which is being delivered as an operation progresses-and also to obtain accurately rapid variations in rate voi? ow either in the same or in the reverse direction.

The full objects and advantages of my invention will appear in connection with the detailed description thereof which will be given in the succeeding specification. and the novel features of the invention by which the heretofore mentioned advantageous results are obtained will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings illustrating an application of my invention in some of its forms:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view in part schematic, showing an apparatus for employing the invention in making calibrations.

Fig. 2 is an end plan view of the casing shown in Fig. 1 with tubing connections omitted.

Fig. 3 is a graph showing the manner in which calibrations are platted.or determined for a fixed area of restrictor and for different areas of restrictor iiow.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line Il-I of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 6 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a part sectional elevation view showing the application of my invention to means for measuring the volume of inhalation and exhalation during respiration.

An embodiment of means for employing the invention for flow through varying restrictor areas is shown in Figs. l, 2, 4 and 5. As shown, a cylindrical casing IB has end plates II and I2 and a central partition I8 dividing the space within the casing into chambers It and I5 on opposite sides of the partition. The end wall I2 has a central opening I6 surrounded by a cylindrical .nipple extension I'I to which may be attached or not, as desired, a hose I8. The end plate I2 also has an opening I9 and outwardly extended nipple 20 which connects with tubing 2 I.

As best shown in Fig. 4, the partition I3 is PrO- vided with a multiplicity of round openings 22 over which are placed restrictordisks 23 which are formed of some porous and substantially homogeneous material, in the example shown of sponge rubber. Each of the disks 23 is held by an outer clamping casing 24 vwhich has an inturned annular rim 25 formed with a valve seat 26 surrounding an opening 21 which has substantially the same area as the opening 22.

Adapted to engage the' valve seat 26 so as to close oil' communication of opening 21 with opening 22 through restrictor body 23 is a valve disk 28 held upon a valve head 29. The valve member 23 is vsecured to the valve head 29 by a screw 30 which is threaded into a block 3l.

Each of the blocks 3| has a socket, indicated at 32 in Figs. 4 and 5. and within the socket 32 is the unthreaded end 33 of a valve stem 34. 'I'he valve stem '34 is threaded through a block 36 secured to the plate ll and extends through a stuffing gasket 33 which is adapted to be placed under pressure by a stufilng box nut 31. Thumb pieces 38vare formed on the ends oi' the valve stems 34, so turning of theyaive stems will open and close the valves.

One of the blocking sponge rubber disks. inclicated by the numeral 39 and shown in dotted lines at in Fig. 2. does not have any closure valve connected with it. since there will always be at least one of these disks open to the ilow of gas. As shown, in addition to the single continuously open disk 30 there are iive additional disks adapted to be closed by the valves above described. It follows that in the use of this device the area of restrictor flow may be from one to six times the area of a single disk.

The chamber lill has an opening 1li in alignment with opening i3 from chamber i5 and a nipple extension d2 to which is secured tubing This tubing may go directly to a pressure reducing regulator valve it having connection with a tank l5 which holds gas or air under pressure, or it may be connected intermediate its ends with a spirometer, not shown. In either case the gas delivered to chamber lll will be at a constant fixed pressure but the spirometer will indicate the volume of the gas delivered to chambers l0 and l5.

An opening 06 into chamber it has connected therewith a nipple extension tl. Upon this nippie extension is a tube t3 which is connected to one leg il@ of a water manometer 50. The other tube ill heretofore described is connected with the second leg 5i of manometer 50. The two legs `of the manometer are respectively connected to the chambers l0 and l5 on opposite sides of one restrictor 30 or any number of said restrictors up to six. This being true, the differential pressure between the two chambers can readily be ascertained.

It follows that, if gas delivery pressures are varied from very low pressure to a desired higher pressure, for each pressure used the differential pressure and rate of ow of the gases can be ascertained'and p'atted. The graph of Fig. 3 illustrates how such calibrations may be obtained.

As indicated in the notations onA the graph, using a single sponge rubber disk with successively higher pressures and resulting higher difpiattod. it gives the graph lines 55 for air, I3 for argon and I1 for a mixture containing 80% helium and oxygen. The appropriate ratios of rates oi flow, where in the apparatus shown one and three sponge rubber disks are respectively used, is' as shown on the chart, for air l to 3.1; helium 80%-oxygen 20%, 1 to 3.2; and commercial argon l to 3.5. l

In other words, -multiplying the area of restriction does not multiply the volume of flow in y exactly the same proportion. but in slightly differential pressures produces the graph line 52 for air, produces the graph line 53 for a mixture of helium 80% and oxygen 20%, and produces the graph line 50 for commercial argon. The vertical scale shows successive differential pressures, which may be read against the caibrations on the horizontal scale and which later calibrations give the rate of flow in ,liters per minute ambient, as indicated for one sponge rubber disk in Fig. 6.

Similarly, the graph of Fig. 3 shows the results obtained Where three of the sponge rubber disks are open for iiow, and where delivery pressures are varied, as in the case of having only one sponge rubber disk open for flow, and when the results of successive differential pressures are ferent proportions. However, because significant errors produced by turbulence and by laminar ilow are practically eliminated by the porous natue of the restrictor the differences are very smal These calibrations lare taken at normal ground level which at Rochester, Minnesota. where the calibrations were made, would be approximately 1,000 feet above sea level. When the air passed through the disks is of the density of the atmosphere at 30,000 feet elevation, and hence is much more attenuated and of much less density, the rates of flow determined from differences in differential pressures on each side of the restrictor are surprisingly Vlittle altered and the approximate ratios of rate of flow using one sponge rubber disk and three sponge rubber disks respectively, is relatively decreasedI from a ratio of 1 to 3.1 to a ratio of l to 2.8. But for ordinary gases such as air, oxygen or nitrogen at ground level the ratio of increase of flow is substantially constant so that against the calibration for the use of one sponge rubber disk it is only necessary to multiply by the ratios determined for any multipe of that in order to get an approximately correct volume in liters per minute as the rate of Vflow for that multiple, it being understood, of course, that these ratios are obtained for any number of open disks from one to six, or more.

It is thus apparent that my invention provides very simple and effective means for Calibrating differential pressures of different gases and the related volumes of flow in liters or in cubic feet per minute. Since, however. it will be impossible to get restrictors which have exactly the same flow characteristics, it is necessary to prepare a set of calibrations for each restrictor and each set of restrictors.

Further, the same results can be obtained as to variations in area of the restrictors employed by using restrictors of varying areas and having a separate unit for each of said restrictors of different area.

Also the thickness of the restrictors land the fineness of the po-res and cavities therein can be varied to meet special needs. In any case, the calibrations as obtained will be essentially independent of the molecular Weight or density of the gases and will berelatively linear with increase of differential pressures, and errors produced by lamination and turbulence will be substantially eliminated.

In Fig. 6 is shown an application of the invention to the highly practical use of measuring respiration. In this form of the device an outer casing member 58 has end plates 59 and 50, cenalways bei open to chamber 82 while the other sponge rubber disks 85 will be controlled by valve mechanism in all respects the same as that shown ln Fig. 4.

The opening 68 in plate 60 has a nipple extension 69 which is connected with a breathing tube lli. The breathing tube connects with a mask 'il adapted to be placed over the face of a subject and form a breathing chamber 12 which is sealed against inlet or outlet of air to the system.

It follows that the subject breathes air by both inhalation and exhalation through the chambers 82 and B3, one or more sponge rubber disks 65, and the breathing tube 10. A manometer in all respects similar to that shown in Fig. 1, has its leg i connected by tube 2i with chamber 62 and its leg 49 connected by tube 48 with chamber 63.

With this arrangement the ow of air and respiration will go alternately from chamber 63 through one or more restrictor disks 65 to chamber 62, and thence through opening 66 to atmosphere upon exhalation. Upon inhalation the air will go from atmosphere through restrictor or restrictors S5 into chamber 68 and thence through the breathing tube to the lungs.

There is alternately established, therefore, maximum differential pressures which are very small for exhalation and inhalation. Upon eX- halation the pressure side is in chamber 63 and the low side in chamber 62, and on inhalation the pressure side is in chamber 62 (from air pressure against negative pressure in chamber 63 and connecting parts) and the low pressure side is in chamber B3 where the negative pressure exists. In this case the rate of flow will be determined by the calibrated figures of the flow scale. as shown below the zero line 16.

Although pressure in this -case will be of short duration, 1 or 2 seconds,l the observer can alwaysy read the maximum shown by the respective columns of liquid 19 and 80 in the manometer, and from this,`with a degree of experience, he can, using a simplemanometer in conjunction with a restrictor device, arrive at a quite accurate ref sult as to the maximum respiratory volumes on inhalation and exhalation of the subject. Accurate results representing the changes in rate of the inspiratory and expiratory flows require the use of some type of recording device.

The advantages of my invention have been in general pointed out quite fully in the preceding specification. A primary advantage is found in the fact that the restrictor device of the flow meters embodying thefeatures of my invention can be constructed for many different types of operation, in which for each restrictor there will be provided in the flow meter arrangement accurate calibrations showing rates of ow in liters or cubic feet per minute for any desired volumes, and at any pressures of delivery.

A particular advantage of my invention comes from the fact that it is 4available for use with gases flowing at very low pressures. The calibrations arrived at in connection with the use of my invention are, therefore, accurate when calibrated for very low pressures as well as for the calibrations athigh pressures. The invention has high utility in connection With flow meters designed for practically any form of use and is readily applicable for nearly any volume or differential pressure demands.

A further great advantage of my invention comes from the fact that it adapts itself very readily to measuring now of gases going through c ferent types of industrial operations where accurate measurements are needed of differential pressures and rates of flow of gases, such as air, at very low pressure. Among such industrial operations where my invention can be used with great advantage are those in connection with the design and installation of air-conditioning apparatus or of heating appliances where the heat is conveyed by the movement of warm or heated air, such for example as in connection with heating of spaces by what is known as a hot air furnace, either where the air is moved and the circulation maintained by gravity due to the different temperatures of the outgoing heated air and the returned cooled air, or where the air is moved by mechanical means such as a blower.

The practice in making these measurements has in general been the employment of a differential type of gauge associated with a manometer and by noting the relation between the pressures applied at different points by two instruments designated respectively as a piezometer and a Pitot tube. .The piezometer obtains the relative pressures about the outer perimeter of the inside of a pipe, which is called the static pressure, while the Pitot tube gets the pressure at a central point of the moving column, which is called the dynamic pressure, and through complicated mechanical calculations a result is obtained which is supposed to show the differential pressures in the piezometer and the Pitot tube, which, by proper formulation and computation, may be translated into rate of ilow.

This system has not been satisfactory; irst, because it may embody serious inaccuracies due to turbulence and flow lamination of the gaseous fluid at the points Where the pressures are taken, and second, because of the requirement for long and time-consuming mathematical calculations based both on the data shown by the readings, and upon certain assumptions dependent upon the size of pipes and their lengths and the bends therein.

By using in connection with my invention a sponge rubber restrictor of the area or in excess of the area of the outlet duct and causing the entire ow of gas from the duct to pass through this restrictor and taking readings of a manometer having its legs extending into areas on opposite sides ofthe restrictor, differentialpressures and resulting rates of flow applied thereto may be readily obtained and calibrated, usually in cubic feet per minute, for use on the job.

To assure accuracy of readings and results with extensive use of my invention the restrictor material will be held for easy removal for cleaning. Also, Where sponge rubber is used, or materials of like characteristic, it will be easy to clean and replace without altering its action so as to effect the original calibrations.

There are many other applications of my invention to industrial operations which may be successfully employed, but those given here are consisting of,a layer of substantially homogeneous porous material of such nature as to prevent turbulence or iiow laminations of the gas as it passes through and from the restrictor, means to admit gas under pressure to one chamber and to discharge it froml the other chamber after it is passed through said material, said flow meter combination being adapted for use in establishing the dierential pressures of the gas in the two chambers at varying rates of flow.

2. A liow meter, comprising a cylindrical casing having a chamber therein of much greater diameter than depth, means including a gas ow restrictor dividing the space within the casing into opposing chambers, each having the same diameter as and less depth than that of the iirst named chamber, said partition having an opening therethrough, a thickened disk of sponge rubber positioned over the opening, a conduit and valve means controlling movement of gas under pressure to cause it to enter one of the chambers and to move through the disk and leave the other chamber, said flow meter combination being adapted for use in establishing the differential pressures of the gas in the two chambers at varying rates oi' flow and for establishing a scale having calibrations for showing the liters per minute the volume of gas going through the meter at the di'erential pressure indicated.

Zi. A How meter, comprising a cylindrical casing having a chamber therein of much greater diameter than depth, means including a gas flow restrictor dividing the space within the casing into opposing chambers, each having thesame diameter as and less depth than that of the first named chamber, said partition having a. multiplicity of openings therethrougha disk of sponge rubber positioned over each of said openings, controllable means `to close any member but one oi said openings, a conduit and valve means controlling movement of the gas under pressure to cause it to enter one of the chambers and move through the disks not closed and to thereafter leave the other chamber, said now meter combination being adapted for use in establishing vthe differential pressures of the gas in the two chambers at varying rates of iiow.

4. A iiow meter, comprising a cylindrical casing scale having a zero having a chamber therein of much greater dlameter than depth, meansV including a gas flow restrictor dividing the space within the casing into opposing chambers, each having the same diameter as and less depth than that of the first named chamber, said partition having a multiplicity of openings therethrough, a disk of sponge rubber positioned over each of said openings, a valve over each of said disks but one adapted to open and close said openings independently, a conduit and valve means controlling movement 10 of the gas under pressure to cause it to enter one of thevchambers and pass through the disks not closed and to thereafter leave the other chamber, said ow meter combination being adapted for use in establishing the differential pressures of the-gas in the two chambers at varying rates of ilow.V

5. A flow meter for use in measuring respiration, comprising a casing, having a chamber therein of much greater transverse dimensions than depth, a transverse partitiondividing the space within the casing into two opposed transverse chambers, a mask and a breathing tube connected with one of said chambers and adapted to convey gases inl respiration to it and from it, an opening from the other chamber to atmosphere adapted to convey air into and from it during respiration, an opening through the partition covered by a disk of sponge rubber, a manometer having one of its legs connected with one chamber and the other leg connected with the other chamber for indicating the diierential pressures of the chambers alternately for inhalation and'exhalation, and a. scale against which said differential pressure indications may be. read showing the rates of iiow per minute determined by the maximum differential pressure.

6. A flow meter for use in measuring respiration, comprising a casing, having e. chamber therein of much greater transverse dimensions than depth, a transverse partition dividing the space within the casing into two opposed transverse chambers, a mask and a breathing tube connected with one of said chambers and adapted to convey gases in respiration to it and from it, an opening from the other chamber to atmosphere adapted to convey air into and from it during respiration, a multiplicity of openings through the partition each covered by a disk of sponge rubber and valves for opening and closing all but one of said disks, a manometerhaving one of its legs connected with one chamber and the other leg connected with the other chamber for indieating' the differential pressures of the cham' bers alternately for inhalation and exhalation, a

point against which said differential pressure indications may be read either above or below the zero point showing the rates of flow per minute determined by the maximum diiierential pressures for exhalation and inhalation respectively, and ratio indications on the scale for effecting determination of volumes where more than one disk is employed.

WALTER M. BOOTHIBY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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